Evaluation of efficacy of TMJ arthrocentesis in the patients with mandibular fracture

Kim, Young Kyun; Yun, Pil Young; Kim, Ji Hong

Abstract

The objective of this study is assessment of the efficacy of upper joint space arthrocentesis on prevention of TMJ injury from patient with mantibular fractures. We divided the patients into two groups, one which consist of 24 patients who are taken arthrocentesis while open reduction of mandibular fracture, the other which consist of 27 patients without arthrocentesis from Jan 1999 to Dec 2001. We measured maximum mouth opening, excursive movement range respectively one week, one month, three months later after operation. The patients were instructed to mark on 10 cm VAS for evaluation of TMJ pain during resting, mouth opening, and mastication. We evaluated the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder clinically and radiographically 6 months later. The result of this study is that there is a reduction of pain and increase of range of mandibular motion in both groups but in patients with arthrocentesis there is relatively reduction of pain and increase of range of mandibular motion compared with control group. On the points of 6 months later, temporomandibular disorder occurred in 4 patients (16.7%) in group with arthrocentesis and 13 patients (47.1%) in control group. In conclusion, we think that supplemental therapy such as arthrocentesis is helpful for the recovery of jaw function and prevention of the development of temporomandibular disorder after facial trauma.